That he welcomed two complete strangers knocking on his door on a rainy Parisian summer day is yet one more testimonial to the late Professor Mohammed Arkoun’s kindness and humility. After being greeted on the threshold of their apartment by his lovely wife, we were introduced to him, his son and hi

The Arabic word for olive is zaytun. Qur’anic and Biblical scriptures have deemed the olive an extraordinary fruit due to its many benefits, and call the olive tree a symbol of purity and light. Thus, it is only fitting that the first Muslim college in the United States, carrying the light of knowle

In August 2008, one of the worst communal genocide attempts on the Christian community occurred in Orissa's Kandhamal district, among India's poorest places. Over 100 people including women, differently-abled, children, Adivasis and Dalits were killed. 3 women were gang raped and many were injured.

National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC)” with support from Department Of Science & Technology, Ministry Of Science & Technology and Chronic Care Foundation had organized a Consensus Conference of physicians, endocrinologists, metabolic specialists, cardiologists, paediatricians,

We Indians have a tendency to delve in the past and then either gloat over it or cry over it. We love to waste time and energy, reminiscing about the yesteryears, with scant thoughts of improving our present and future. We do not let 'Bygones be Bygones', but rather cling to them in a sadistic sort

Despite progress made in recent years, tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge for the world, participants heard at the special opening session of the Second Global Forum on TB Vaccines in Tallinn, Estonia. New vaccines could make a significant difference.
Christopher Dye of the World Health Organiza

This year, on the ninth anniversary of the 11 September attacks, many Americans were scared that violence would ensue as a result of a planned Qur’an burning and the controversy over an Islamic cultural centre, Park51, in lower Manhattan. Thankfully, the day came and went with no major eruptions of

Religious leaders should advocate the spirit of God’s words, which make no distinction between colour and creed and are found in all religions’ divine revelations. It is God’s will that our societies be culturally and religiously diverse, as He says in the Qur’an: “And if thy Lord had willed, He ver

Whether or not one believes that religion unites or divides communities, it is unarguably a fundamental element in the formation of human society. As such, it is understandable that religion can be an important element when it comes to resolving conflicts.
Our experience in the Arab Group for Musl

With just a year to go, the countdown to the UN Summit on Non Communicable Diseases (to be held in September, 2011 in Brussels) has already begun. The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance, (consisting of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), World Heart Federation, Union for International

Catholic Church is the largest disciplined faith based organization in the world with its seemingly clear ideology and implementation strategy. It has always stood against corruption, injustice and never turned face against death if that could restore justice. On the other side it has also a long h

While the build up to the renewed Israeli-Palestinian negotiations – the first direct talks in almost ten years to be brokered by the United States – was largely greeted with an excess of pessimism on the part of many observers, the fact that they have been resumed is, on its own, something of an ac

Jalaluddin Haqqani has become one of the most feared ‘pawns’ in the chess game occurring along the Pak-Afghan border. In effect, Haqqani moves more like a bishop in employing a seasoned offensive strategy that he has perfected during the course of the last 30 years. Calculated. Defined. Never in the

Although our President Obama says that having as many Muslims to build a Mosque in America is just like allowing other nations and practicing religions to have the freedom to worship. Question is what’s the rationale behind this? Why does a religion that empowers jihad, martyrdom, and suicide bomber

I am a man of faith. I have been a Christian pastor for 25 years in the United Methodist Church. It is out of this deep commitment to the principles of my faith that I felt I needed to do something – anything – in response to the potential hate crime that was going to be perpetrated by a church, the